A new regulatory measure for inspection and testing agency qualifications, known as the "One List, One Database" system, will be implemented nationwide starting June 1, 2026. This initiative, announced by the State Administration for Market Regulation, aims to standardize the inspection and testing market through institutional innovation and support high-quality industry development.
The "One List" refers to the Catalog of Items for Qualification Accreditation of Inspection and Testing Agencies, which covers 11 statutory fields. These fields include product quality inspection, food inspection, agricultural product quality inspection, motor vehicle emission and safety technology inspection, medical device inspection, cosmetics inspection, judicial expertise testing, ecological environment monitoring, forestry product quality inspection, forest tree seed and grass seed quality inspection, and import-export commodity inspection.
The "One Database" is the Project Library for Qualification Accreditation Capabilities of Inspection and Testing Agencies, currently containing over 45,000 relevant standards such as national, industry, and international standards. The administration will dynamically adjust both components based on updates to laws, regulations, and standards, with information publicly available on the official website of the National Certification and Accreditation Administration.
This reform establishes a unified national baseline for market access. Local market regulatory departments must strictly follow the "One List, One Database" when processing qualification accreditations, ensuring full transparency in items, processes, and standards.
The new system also clarifies operational requirements for inspection and testing activities. For services within the scope of the list and database, agencies must obtain qualification accreditation and use the official accreditation marks appropriately. For capabilities not included, agencies can provide services based on demonstrated competence, risk control, and client agreement, but are prohibited from using the accreditation marks.
Furthermore, the reform discourages making accreditation for non-listed items a prerequisite in tenders or procurement processes, helping to eliminate unreasonable barriers and foster a fair, orderly market environment.
To support innovation, a "regulatory sandbox" approach will be piloted for strategic emerging industries and future sectors. This allows frontier testing methods not yet covered by mature standards to be included under qualification accreditation with proper risk controls, encouraging innovative inspection activities while balancing safety and vitality.
Qualification accreditation serves as the primary gateway for the inspection and testing market. Implementing the "One List, One Database" management marks a new starting point for standardizing industry development and enhancing governance efficiency, ultimately contributing to public welfare and high-quality economic growth.
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